* * *
Just a few days later, as he boarded the boat, Gef found his joy dimmed. Captain Lagnor met him with contempt.
Lagnor looked Gef over with a sneer. “I’ve worked with the Brotherhood for years. I’ve never had to work with the likes of you.” He laughed. “You’re nothing but a worn-out old thief.”
Gef folded his arms tightly across his chest. “I’m a lawful citizen of Pentra, Lagnor.”
“Captain Lagnor to you, lackey. Hah! A thief and a liar! I’ve asked around, I know all about who you are.” Lagnor made a sweeping bow. “I suppose at times one evil must be pitted against a larger one. It would seem you are the perfect choice to steal the Priests little prize.”
Gef’s hands itched to wrap around Lagnor’s thick neck, but he thought better of it. The satisfaction he’d get from killing the man wouldn’t be worth the coin he’d lose.
Gef’s face blazed red as Lagnor laughed. “Be mindful who the master is. See you don’t forget it!”
“Yer no master over me, Lagnor! I’m here to do a job just like you. If you aren’t up to workin’ with the likes a’me, you can go re-negotiate with the red-handed Brothers. Surely they’d be interested in yer thoughts on who they hire.”
Lagnor stiffened. “I wouldn’t bother planning what to spend that coin on, Gef. The Priests know how to handle troublemakers like you.”
With a frown, Gef watched as Lagnor turned and stormed into the wheelhouse, slamming the door. He heard crashes as objects were thrown into the walls and curses hurled into the air.
After Gef and Krell helped Magdalah settle into the small compartment under the galley where she would keep the child, they sat at her table, talking.
“I don’t like it,” Gef said. “Lagnor’s hiding something and I need to find out what it is.”
Krell nodded.
“Now, don’t go lookin’ for extra trouble, Gef.” Magdalah patted his arm. “I know you don’t like Lagnor much, but what could he be planning?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out, I assure you.”
II. Lysis
Three days later they entered the port of Lysis. Early that evening, Gef and Magdalah walked through the streets looking for just the right tavern. Finally settling on one that looked most like one the locals would visit, they sat and ordered an early dinner. Gef sighed, glad to get off his feet, the dull ache in his hip had grown to agony. The damp sea journey hadn’t been good for it.
Most taverns had little meat but in a port town seafood abounded. They’d been looking forward to this meal. As they feasted on steaming bowls of fish stew, crusty rye bread and a block of cheese, along with hearty tankards of ale, they watched the regulars stream in and sit near the bar. As they noted who the talkers were and thought about who they’d approach to learn more about this child of prophecy, they ate and chatted, letting the ale work its wonders on the locals.
Gef soon struck up a conversation with an old fellow named Brey who sat with a small group. He asked about the market and what things sold best, trying to behave like the peddler he portrayed. Finally he worked his way to the question he wanted most to ask.
“So, what’s this I hear about a prophecy ‘round these parts?”
Brey nodded. “Aye, that’d be in Silar, about four hours hence. Years ago, long before my grand pappy’s birth, a prophecy come down from the Priest’s Hall about a child to be born in Silar by an unnatural path.”
“A girl,” interrupted Jona, one of Brey’s cronies, “and she’d have great powers and bring prosperity to us all.” He eyed Gef with suspicion. “You ain’t one of them disbelievers, are ya?”
“No, indeed!” Magdalah broke in. “We’d love to know more. Did this unnatural birth take place?”
“It did.” Brey tugged his beard. “Silar is a small village. They only have the one Priestess. No grand hall, ya know. News like that travels far and fast.”
Magdalah nodded. “There’s many a village like that outside of Pentra.”
The old fellow across from Brey sputtered. “Pah! A bit over five years ago the Priestess come up in the family way. Said the prophecy grew within her! Some of us know how a child comes into the world and prophecy has little to do with it! We’re all farm lads, we know how a birthing comes about. Anyone who believes that story is a fool!”
“C’mon Hotch, you know it weren’t like that! Yer treadin’ on blasphemy!” Brey frowned at the old man. “This weren’t no regular birth. Yer ill temper gonna get you in trouble.”
Turning back to Gef and Magdalah, he went on, “The pregnancy became obvious real quick and ended even sooner. At just four months, the baby came. Four months to birth? How can you explain that? The birthing took three days but the attendants said the Priestess never cried out. When the child finally come she never heaved a cry neither. The Priestess gave ‘er a kiss and said ‘My mission here is fulfilled.’ Then she closed her eyes and left this world.” He leaned back in his chair with the air of a man who’d proved his point. “The child had a healthy weight with a thick cap o’ curling blond hair and eyes as blue and clear as the sky above. The Priestess had named the child Merrith, as the prophecy said. Now if that ain’t an unnatural birth, I dunno what is.” He gave Hotch another glare.
“Oh, the mother died, how sorrowful.” said Magdalah. “Who takes care of the poor orphan now?”
“Lady Barrow. She’s descended from the founders of Silar, quite wealthy. She and her niece, Farra, took the child to raise. The Priestess asked her to before she died, you see.”
“Is it possible to see the girl?”
“Nay, they don’t show her off. In fact, she’s guarded.” He waved his hand. “I’m sure you know the prophecy, the Priests have taught it for mor’n a hunnert years. She’s supposed to come into her power soon and the prophecy said some would want to do her harm. But if you go to Silar, you might see her in the market with Farra or in the gardens surrounding the house. You can’t get close enough to talk to her, of course. But you might get to see her.”
Gef winked at Magdalah, “Now that might be enough reason to visit Silar, eh?”
With a nod and a smile to Brey, Gef said, “It’s nice to meet ye, Brey, and yer friends. We’d best take our leave. Perhaps we’ll see you again while we’re here.”
They shook on that, then Gef lead Magdalah out. He waited to speak until they’d neared the quiet port.
“Shouldn’t be hard to find the house of the wealthiest woman in town, eh? This may be an easy job.”
Magdalah shook her head. “But the child’s guarded, Gef. How will you get past them?”
“I’ll look about when I get there, o’course, but it’s a small village far from the main roads. The guards are probably just local men. I doubt they’re well trained. And in the dark of the night, they probably feel safe in the house and won’t be very watchful. We’ll watch for men posted outside, but somehow I doubt that will be.”
“Well, I hope you’re right. I’ll be worrying the whole time you two are gone.”
Gef laughed. “You’d better concentrate on resting. Once we return you’ll have a wee child to chase. She’ll probably run you ragged.”
Magdalah laughed. “Oh, five years isn’t so wee, but I’m looking forward to it. Though I never had any of me own, I always loved the little ones.”
Gef turned to Magdalah and looked into her eyes. “Remember where we’re taking her, Mags. Don’t get attached.”
She sighed. “Right you are. I’ll say goodnight now and see you both off in the morn.”